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With seven doctoral psychologists, we have specialists in most areas of counselling and therapy and assessment for adolescents and adults. All our psychologists are registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology. If you do not see the specialty you are seeking here, please call us for more information.

Myles Genest, PhD, Psychologist

Dr. Myles Genest (Registration #R0263) has over 30 years of experience as a clinician. He works with adults experiencing a wide variety of problems, including relationship problems, conflict, depression, anxiety, stress, anger, pain and health, posttrauma, and workplace difficulties. Working with individuals experiencing PTSD is a specialty.

He has a particular interest and long experience in working with couples.
(Please see Couples Issues to read about the way he works in couples’ counselling.)

Dr. Genest provides personality, forensic, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), and disability assessments for individuals, insurers and the courts. His research, writing, and extensive experience with assessments leads to work as an expert for legal, medical, insurance and rehabilitation purposes. Dr. Genest has testified as an expert witness in psychological assessment and the assessment of pain in Family and Supreme courts in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.

Dr. Genest is one of the pioneers in the psychological assessment and treatment of pain and other health-related problems. He is co-author of the text, Pain and Behavioural Medicine, which is widely cited as a classic in the field. The author of numerous chapters, papers, and books concerned with therapy and assessment, Dr. Genest is sought as a consultant by other health professionals.

Dr. Genest has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Waterloo. He was Professor and Head of the Psychology Department at Acadia University from 1992 to 2000. Prior to that, he taught at the Universities of Saskatchewan and Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University. He served as President of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia and Chair of the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology and is Vice-President of the Canadian Register of Health Providers in Psychology.

Dr. MacGillivray provides adult psychological assessment services, including psychodiagnostic and personality assessment, assessment of career and vocational aptitude and interest, and behavioural assessments directed at specific emotional or behavioural problems such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, anger/violence, shyness, substance abuse and chronic pain. He also offers psychological testing services related to the assessment of intelligence, memory, school achievement and mental status.

Dr. MacGillivray has experience with assessment and psychotherapy with members of the clergy, armed services and police forces. He has experience in expert testimony and has been qualified as an expert in PTSD by the Supreme Courts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Dr. MacGillivray has also had experience in the evaluation and remediation of community organizational problems, particularly in health-care and employee-assistance environments. These services are offered on an individual, contractual basis.

Dr. MacGillivray is the former president of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia and Chairman of the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology. He is active in committee work for NSBEP and has recently taught a graduate course in professional ethics in the school psychology program at Mount Saint Vincent University. He is licensed to practice as a psychologist in the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Heather MacLatchy, PhD, Psychologist

Dr. Heather MacLatchy is a registered psychologist in Nova Scotia (R#0469), who holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Dalhousie University. Dr. MacLatchy specializes in an adolescent population (aged 12-19 years) with chronic, severe and complex mental health histories. She is able to work closely with multi-disciplinary teams, other health care providers and outside agencies (e.g., community services, schools). Her primary areas of interest include the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, self-esteem issues, behavioural difficulties, anger management, parenting and school refusal. Cognitive-behavioural strategies are employed to help teens and their parents learn new ways to manage life stress and improve the overall quality of their lives.

For the past several years, she has been providing services at the IWK Health Centre, working with children, adolescents and adults with a broad range of mental health difficulties, family issues and life challenges. Currently, she divides her time between her private practice at Genest MacGillivray Psychologists and her work at the IWK Adolescent Day Treatment Service, where she is Team Leader in providing services for children, adolescents and their families.

He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. He conducts research on the role of personality traits (e.g., perfectionism) in depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and eating disorders. He won the Canadian Psychological Association President’s New Researcher Award in 2009, the H. J. Eysenck Memorial Fund Award in 2011, and the Discovery Centre’s Emerging Professional of Distinction Award in 2012.

Marc Woods, Ph.D, Psychologist

Dr. Marc Woods (Registration #R0670), originally from Newfoundland, completed his Master’s (1997-1999) and Doctoral (2001-2005) training in clinical psychology at the University of Regina. He provides assessment and treatment for adults and late adolescents experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including but not limited to such problems as depression, anxiety, stress, sleep difficulties, anger management, grief, acceptance, sexual and intimacy issues and behavioural problems (See his suggested 8 strategies for motivating yourself). He has particular expertise in assessing and providing psychological treatment for people with pain and health problems. He has worked with members of the military and police force. He also played basketball with Memorial University of Newfoundland’s varsity team, and his research and clinical interests reflect his background in athletics.

Dr. Woods has almost 10 years of clinical experience working in a variety of settings, including private practice, interdisciplinary health teams, in-patient psychiatric care, hospital settings, and university counselling centres. He provided services for five years at the Chronic Pain Centre in Saskatoon and prior to moving to Halifax, was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Woods has extensive training and experience using multiple therapy approaches, including cognitive behavioural, acceptance based, humanistic, interpersonal and emotion-focused. He practices therapy with a collaborative and client-centred focus that is holistic and solution-oriented. Practically speaking, this involves engaging the client actively and meaningfully in the therapy process (e.g., setting goals, identifying the focus in session). He will also use whichever therapy approach/tools best serve the client.

Dr. Wanlin completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Sport Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She then completed a second Masters in Counseling and a Doctoral Degree in Sport Psychology with additional training in Counseling Psychology at West Virginia University. Her training was grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy; she also incorporates developmental and systems approaches. She has specialized training in hypnosis, EMDR, Gottman Couples Therapy, and has completed an intensive course in the Developmental Attachment Approach to dealing with parenting/family/child issues.

Dr. Wanlin takes a holistic, solution-focused approach to therapy. She understands that beginning the therapeutic process can be daunting and she hopes to reassure clients that this is a healthy, conscious, proactive step towards life change. She works collaboratively and compassionately with clients to reach their therapeutic goals.

Sharon Genest, B.I.S., Practice Manager

Sharon Genest, Practice Manager, has managed the practice since its inception. Her goal is to provide excellent care to individual clients in a relaxed and comfortable setting and to offer highly professional services to our corporate clients.

Since completing a Bachelor of Independent Studies degree at the University of Waterloo, Ms. Genest has pursued a range of research, treatment, and business development projects. She has worked extensively in developing and executing research with a variety of populations, including prenatal groups and patients suffering from pain, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. She is the co-author of the book, Psychology and Health. Ms. Genest brings over 30 years of experience in administration and planning to our therapy clients and consultations with corporate clients.

Shirley Gallant, B.A., B. Com., Administrative Assistant

Shirley Gallant, our Administrative Assistant, is described by clients as kind and friendly. Shirley has Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts degrees from St. Mary’s university and comes to us from a rich health care background. She has operated her own successful business and served as a case manager and claims specialist for health care insurers for many years.

You will find Shirley or Tanya at the end of your telephone when you call, as the receiver of your emails, and at our front desk when you arrive. Both can be counted on for knowledgeable and sensitive assistance and for ensuring that people are well-matched with the most appropriate psychologists.

Please complete and send our appointment request form. Shirley or Tanya will contact you to answer your questions, help you choose the most appropriate services for your needs, and book your appointments.

Tanya Young, Receptionist

Tanya shares our front desk with Shirley Gallant. Friendly and outgoing, she wants you to feel comfortable at Genest MacGillivray and welcomes a chat, if you feel inclined. Tanya has a Medical Office Administrator Diploma and brings her experience in medical offices to us.

At GMP, our front desk people, the folks who answer your telephone calls, and respond to your emails, and greet you when you arrive, are highly knowledgeable about our psychologists and services. They are especially trained to understand the needs of our clients and to match new-comers with a psychologist who can help. Tanya can be counted on to be discrete and professional.

If you have not been to our Practice before and would like an appointment, please complete and send our appointment request form.